Cabotage
is the transport of goods or passengers between two points in the same country.
Originally starting with shipping, cabotage now also covers aviation, rail and
road transport. Cabotage is "trade or navigation in coastal waters, or,
the exclusive right of a state to manage air traffic in the territory.
Politically, cabotage control limit trade to the carrier is locally known as
protectionism. The basis for the rules of cabotage is including national
security and the need to protect public safety.

According
to the Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin
Abang Haji Openg any goods that we import needs through Port Klang. In the
past, maybe it was acceptable because there was lack of volume but now, we have
established international trade. So it is time to abolish cabotage so that
ships from overseas can come straight to Sarawak.

PAS
fully supports the recommendations of the Chief Minister of Sarawak so that
Sarawak is given the freedom to import goods from outside without having to go
through Port Klang. Distance traveled and the merchant ship from the outside dealing
with Port Klang cause goods from China and Japan become more expensive. The
cost of transportation to commute to get to the port found in Sarawak became
expensive due to had to through Port Klang.

Before that
we’ve ever recommend the abolition of cabotage policy for Sarawak because it
can reduce the cost price of the goods for the people of Sarawak. With the
abolition of cabotage policy is at least the price of goods in the state would
be comparable to or less than the price of goods from Peninsular Malaysia.

In an
increasingly acute economic situation and unstable then the federal government
should abolish the cabotage policy for Sarawak and Sarawak are eligible for the
autonomy to facilitate dealings at the international level trade.

Maybe
this is one way to reduce the burden on users who must pay higher prices for
goods from abroad. We urge the federal government can evaluate the Sarawak
government's request because it involves the users and the needs of local
people.

The
abolition of cabotage policy can also stimulate development and reduce the cost
of basic infrastructure development plans in the country such as building
materials are cheap and users can also purchase necessities at reasonable
prices. The government should also monitor the prices of essential items so
that they are not sold at a price that is too high that burden consumers.

Hopefully
government's desire and the people of Sarawak to see the abolishment of
cabotage policy by the federal government became a reality and can ease the
burden of the cost price of basic necessities in Sarawak. Sarawak does not need
the cabotage policy because it is not fair for the state.